People Show 137, Southwark Playhouse - ★ - Until February 29, 2020


God Knows How Many is conceived and performed by the long established group called The People Show. This is their 137th show since formation in 1966. The programme notes offer little help as to what this weird piece is all about; it tells us of “a darker dimension where the cursory, momentary nature of life is confronted full on.” Regrettably, hardly anything works for us and the seemingly random nature of the show is baffling. The first half of the performance is delivered, rather laboriously, in French. The musical interludes simply add to the confusion. It has to be said that the cast are no longer young or physically agile, nor, even more worryingly, are they verbally dextrous enough to deliver the seemingly random sentences with any real meaning. It seems there are autobiographical elements within the script but if one has to ask what a play is about, it has fallen at the first fence. However, the evening has a few small merits. The set is delightful and the lighting is excellent. The animatronic female sitting at the bar, for no apparent reason, is great. We're sad to say it but this evening simply did not work for us.

 Reviewed by D.S.J.
Photo by Sheila Burnett.
 Our Score:  ☆ 

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 WHEN, WHERE, GETTING THERE:
Until February 29, 2020
Mon - Sat: 8 pm. Sat (Feb 29): 3:30 pm
Southwark Playhouse
Nearest tube: Elephant and Castle
https://southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/show/people-show-137/
Map & Location: 77-85 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BD, UK

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